Mariah Carey Cuddles a Koala

People Pets

01/11/2013 at 08:05 PM EST

It's not all work and no play for Mariah Carey, who jetted to Australia earlier in the week after a series of promotional appearances for American Idol.

After attending a live Q&A for the show Wednesday, the singer flew Down Under for some fun in the sun and made a new friend along the way.

"I wanted to take him home with me!" she wrote Thursday on Instagram, sharing a photo of her and a koala. "Thanks to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and their amazing work."

In addition to mingling with the country's furry residents, Carey also hit the beach where she showed off her impressive bikini body.

But the trip proved a quick one, as the star shared another Instagram photo of a Hawaiian rainbow on her way home that same day. Carey will kick off the latest season of Idol on Jan. 16.